Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge is holding free interpretive programs on Saturdays and Sundays through the end of September.

The programs include presentations on the plants and birds that inhabit the refuge, as well as other that ook at the refuge’s human history. There also will beprograms on nature and wildlife photography.

The guided walks depart from the visitor center flag pole, and talks will be held in the center’s auditorium. There is no charge for programs, but $3 per family refuge entrance fee still applies. The programs usually last one to two hours. There will be no program on July 4, a Saturday this year.

The refuge is located off Interstate 5 at Exit 114 betweem Tacoma and Olympia. Follow the signs to the Refuge entrance adjacent to the freeway. Pets are not allowed in the Refuge. The refuge is open from sunrise to sunset. For information, contact Jackie LaRue at (360) 753-9467 or jackie_larue@fws.gov.

Here are the program descriptions and the full schedule:

Quiet Beauty: the Plants of Nisqually NWR: An easy hike exploring the plants of the Refuge.

Take Flight: the Birds of Nisqually NWR: An easy hike focusing on the sights and sounds of the birds on the Refuge (beginner/intermediate level birding walk).

The Wonder of Nisqually: An easy hike exploring both flora and fauna around the Refuge.

Historic Nisqually: These walks are about the influential human history that occurred within the refuge boundary – the controversial Medicine Creek Treaty and/or the long-standing, landscape altering farm history that started with the Brown Farm days. Program may be an easy walk or a slide show, dependant on the presenter.

Introduction to Nature and Wildlife Photography: This is an easy hike that will explore the Refuge through the lens of your camera. An amateur nature/wildlife photographer and refuge volunteer will lead this general introduction photography walk.

America's National Wildlife Refuge System: This is a slideshow presentation in the auditorium.

Saturday, June 27, 10:00 am Wonder of Nisqually
Sunday June 28, 1:00 pm Wonder of Nisqually

Saturday, July 4, No Program
Sunday, July 5, 1:00 pm Wonder of Nisqually

Saturday, July 11, 9:00 am Take Flight
Sunday, July 12, 1:00 pm Quiet Beauty

Saturday, July 18, 8:00 am Take Flight
Sunday, July 19, 1:00 pm Wonder of Nisqually

Saturday, July 25, 10:00 am Wonder of Nisqually
Sunday, July 26, 1:00 pm Wonder of Nisqually

Saturday, August 1, 1:00 pm Historic Nisqually: Medicine Creek Treaty and the Farming Days
Sunday, August 2, 10:00 am Wonder of Nisqually

Saturday, August 8, 8:00 am Take Flight
Sunday, August 9, 1:00 pm Historic Nisqually: Medicine Creek Treaty

Saturday, August 15, 9:00 am Take Flight
Sunday, August 16, 10:00 am Wonder of Nisqually

Saturday, August 22, 11:00 am Historic Nisqually: Medicine Creek Treaty
Sunday, August 23, 10:00 am Wonder of Nisqually

Saturday, August 29, 10:00 am Wonder of Nisqually
Sunday, August 30, 1:00 pm America's National Wildlife Refuge System

Saturday, September 5, 9:00 am Take Flight
Sunday, September 6, 1:00 pm America's National Wildlife Refuge System

Saturday, September 12, 1:00 pm Historic Nisqually: The Farming Days
Sunday, September 13, 8:00 am Introduction to Nature and Wildlife Photography

Saturday September 19, 11:00 am Historic Nisqually: Medicine Creek Treaty
Sunday, September 20, 1:00 pm Quiet Beauty

Saturday, September 26, 10:00 am-4:00 pm Nisqually Watershed Festival
Sunday, September 27, 1:00 pm Wonder of Nisqually

Several construction and repair projects along Olympic National Park roads will improve visitor access and safety. But while the work is being done, visitors should expect some delays and temporary closures.

Here is the news release the park just sent out:

“These road repair projects are needed to maintain safe access to the park,” said Olympic National Park Superintendent Karen Gustin. “We recognize that the timing of these projects may present an inconvenience to our visitors, but these projects can only be successfully completed during the warm, dry months of summer.”

Hoh Rain Forest

The paved roads within the park’s Hoh Rain Forest area will be resurfaced or ‘chipsealed’ this summer, including the six-mile section of the Upper Hoh Road within the park boundary, the visitor center parking area, campground loop roads and parking pads, parking pullouts and administrative area roadways.

Weather permitting, the project is scheduled to begin on July 27 and is expected to take up to two weeks, with work only occurring on weekdays.

Visitors should expect delays of up to 20 minutes along the Upper Hoh Road, along with temporary closures of parking areas and the campground to allow resurfacing to proceed.

The Hoh Rain Forest campground will be closed for up to 24 hours beginning at 11 a.m. on July 27 while crews resurface the campground roads and parking pads. The campground will close again for 24 hours at 11 a.m. on Aug. 3 to allow crews to apply sealant to the new road surface. All campers must vacate during these two 24-hour closures. Timing of the closures is weather dependent, as the chipseal process requires conditions that are warm and dry. Any schedule changes will be communicated as early as possible.

Nearby campgrounds along the Upper Hoh Road include the Minnie Peterson and Willoughby Creek campgrounds, both operated by the Washington Department of Natural Resources. Another nearby option is the Bogachiel State Park located between the Upper Hoh Road and the city of Forks.

Quinault Graves Creek Road

The Graves Creek Road was severely damaged in several areas during a
record-breaking storm in December 2007. Since April 2008, the road has been open for bicycles, stock and pedestrian use, but it will close to bicycles and stock on July 20 to allow contractors to begin major road re-construction.

Hikers interested in using the East Fork Quinault Trail are urged to finish their hike before July 20, or choose a different route after that date. Between July 20 and Oct. 30, hikers will encounter heavy construction equipment and possible lengthy delays along the road and will need to exercise extreme caution in order to safely pass around the multiple construction zones.

Construction-related closures and delays will continue through October, when the project is slated to be completed. The Graves Creek Road is scheduled to re-open for vehicle traffic on Nov. 1.

Click hee for wilderness travel information, including alternatives to the East Fork Quinault Trail and current trail condition reports or stop by or call the park’s Wilderness Information Center at 360-565-3100.

Lake Crescent – Highway 101

The 12.3-mile section of Highway 101 around Lake Crescent will be resurfaced this summer and is scheduled to be completed in approximately two weeks during August (specific dates are yet to be determined, pending selection of a project contractor.)

Highway 101 will remain open throughout the work period, but traffic will be restricted to one lane through the work zone and delays of up to 20 minutes should be expected. Work will only occur on weekdays; no holiday or weekend work is permitted. The Lake Crescent resurfacing is part of a multi-park road maintenance project being managed by the Federal Highways Administration.